JP6438592B2 - Modular print drive assembly and platen assembly - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments identified herein relate to mobile printers, and particularly to modular print drive assemblies and platen assemblies used in mobile printers.

  It will be understood herein that there are many drawbacks and problems associated with mobile printers. Through the use of technical effort, inventive power, and innovation, many exemplary solutions of these identified problems are embodied by the present invention described in detail below.

  A modular print drive assembly and a modular platen assembly can be disclosed. In an embodiment, a platen latch assembly configured to move between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein the platen latch assembly includes a first end and a second end. And a first latch arm and a second latch arm, each having a latch hook opposite the pivot end, the first latch arm being near the pivot end of the first latch arm. Coupled to the latch shaft, the second latch arm is coupled to the latch shaft near the pivot end of the second latch arm, and the platen latch assembly includes a latch hook and a pivot end of the first latch arm. Further comprising an unlatching lever extending from the first latch arm between the latching lever and driving the platen latch assembly from the latched position to the unlatched position during operation. The platen latch assembly further includes at least one latch arm weight extending near at least one of the pivot end of the first latch arm and the pivot end of the second latch arm. A featured platen latch assembly is provided.

  In an exemplary embodiment of the platen latch assembly, the at least one latch arm weight comprises a first latch arm weight and a second latch arm weight, the first latch arm weight being a pivot of the first latch arm. Extending near the end, the second latch arm weight extends near the pivot end of the second latch arm. In some exemplary embodiments, the platen latch assembly further includes a return spring mount coupled to the latch shaft, the first latch arm, or the second latch arm.

  In some exemplary embodiments of the platen latch assembly, the first latch arm further includes at least one release protrusion, the platen latch assembly further includes a second latch release lever, The latch release lever includes at least one release drive protrusion configured to engage the at least one release protrusion to drive the platen latch assembly from the latched position to the unlatched position during operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the platen latch assembly further includes a weight housing coupled to the second end of the first latch arm. At least one latch arm weight is retained within the weight housing. In some exemplary embodiments of the platen latch assembly, the first latch arm or the second latch arm includes at least one weight reduction cavity between the latch hook and the pivot end.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a platen assembly comprising a first platen shaft hole near the first end and a second platen shaft hole near the second end. A housing, a platen configured to be rotatably received in the first platen shaft hole and the second platen shaft hole, and configured to extend from the platen housing and be slidably received by the printer lid assembly. A platen assembly is provided that includes a substantially flat mounting flange.

  In an exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, the platen assembly includes a first platen shaft hole near the first end and a platen shaft hole with the second platen shaft hole near the second end. The apparatus further includes a housing and a platen configured to be rotatably received within the first platen shaft hole and the second platen shaft hole, the platen having a drive end and a holding end, the platen including the platen A first shaft bearing provided near the drive end of the platen and in the first platen shaft bore; a drive gear provided near the drive end of the platen and further closer to the first shaft bearing; And a second shaft bearing provided near the holding end of the platen and in the second platen shaft hole.

  In some exemplary embodiments of the platen assembly, the platen has a platen shaft provided in the platen roller, and the shaft has a holding end and a drive end. In an exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, the platen assembly further includes a shaft journal coupled to the holding end of the platen shaft. In the exemplary embodiment of the platen, the platen shaft has a longitudinal axis and the shaft journal is connected to the platen shaft at the same longitudinal axis as the platen shaft.

  In the exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, the drive gear and the shaft journal are removably connected to each other to allow removal of the platen. In some exemplary embodiments, the platen assembly is coupled to the platen housing and further includes a tear bar coupled to the platen housing, the tear bar being a print medium with pressure applied to the tear bar. Is configured to tear the print media. In an exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, the platen has a non-stick platen roller, and the platen assembly further includes a platen scraper. In an exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, the platen housing further includes a mounting flange and a plurality of mounting holes configured to align with the flange and the plurality of mounting holes of the printer media access lid.

  In another exemplary embodiment of a platen latch assembly, a platen latch assembly is provided that includes a latch arm with a latch hook and a pivot end, the latch arm rotating between a latched position and an unlatched position. A platen latch assembly slidably coupled to translate between the locked position and the unlocked position along the latch arm; and the lock arm in the locked and unlocked positions. And a cam actuator configured to drive the latch arm from the latched position to the unlatched position.

  In the exemplary embodiment of the platen latch assembly, the lock arm has a lock bar at the lock end. In some exemplary embodiments of the platen latch assembly, the lock arm has at least one lock arm hole, the latch arm has at least one lock guide, and the at least one lock guide has at least one lock arm. Intrudes into one lock arm hole. In some exemplary embodiments of the platen latch assembly, the alignment of the platen latch assembly is maintained in response to at least one lock guide penetration into the at least one lock arm hole.

  In the exemplary embodiment of the platen latch assembly, the lock arm has a tension mount at the tension end, and the latch arm further has a tension mount positioned between the latch hook and the pivot end. In some exemplary embodiments, the platen latch further includes a tension mechanism coupled between the tension mount of the latch arm and the tension mount of the lock arm, wherein the lock arm includes the tension mount of the latch arm and the lock arm. In response to the application of tension by the tension mechanism between the tension mount and the tension mount, the tension mount is biased toward the lock position.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the platen latch assembly further includes a lock cam coupled to the lock arm. The lock arm moves to the unlocked position in response to the operation of the lock cam. The platen latch assembly further includes a latch cam coupled to the latch arm. The latch arm moves to the unlatched position in response to actuation of the latch cam. In some exemplary embodiments of the platen latch assembly, the latch hook of the latch arm is removed from the platen assembly in response to actuation of the latch cam.

  In some exemplary embodiments of the platen assembly, the cam actuator is configured to actuate the lock cam before actuating the latch cam upon actuation. In the exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, actuation of the cam actuator includes rotation of the cam actuator. In an exemplary embodiment of the platen assembly, the cam actuator further includes a lock actuation protrusion configured to actuate the lock cam and a latch actuation projection configured to actuate the latch cam. In some exemplary embodiments of the platen assembly, the platen latch assembly further includes an unlatching device configured to actuate the cam actuator.

  In an exemplary embodiment of the platen latch assembly, the pivot is a shaft receiver, and the platen latch assembly is at the first end and the shaft coupled to the shaft receiver and at the second end. A second latch arm is further included. In some exemplary embodiments of the platen latch assembly, the latch arm or lock arm comprises at least one weight reduction cavity. In the exemplary embodiment of the platen latch assembly, the cam actuator comprises a rack and pinion device.

  In yet another exemplary embodiment, a modular print drive assembly configured to be inserted into and removed from a printer, the modular print drive assembly comprising a plurality of printer mounts. A print drive housing with fasteners; a printhead coupled to the print drive housing supported by the print drive housing; and a print drive housing coupled to the print drive housing. A supported platen latch assembly. The platen latch assembly is configured to removably receive the platen at a location that forms a nip between the platen and the printhead. The modular print drive assembly further includes a platen drive motor supported by the print housing when coupled to the print housing, the platen drive motor driving the platen when received in the platen latch assembly. Is supported by the print housing.

  In some exemplary embodiments of the modular print drive assembly, the printer mount fastener has a plurality of print mount retention holes and a plurality of retention mechanisms provided in the print drive housing. In an exemplary embodiment, the print drive assembly further includes a print drive tear bar coupled to the print head housing and configured to tear the print media when in the first direction. In an exemplary embodiment of the print drive assembly, the platen latch is configured to hold the platen assembly platen against the printhead, the platen assembly being in a second direction opposite to the first direction. It further includes a platen arbor configured to tear the print media. In some exemplary embodiments of the print drive assembly, the platen latch assembly includes a first latch release lever and a second latch release lever configured to release the platen latch, the first platen The release lever is configured to be operated in a first direction, and the second latch release lever is configured to be operated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

  Thus, while the present invention has been described generally, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mobile printer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary modular print drive and platen assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a dual tear bar according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary modular print drive assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a print drive assembly and platen assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of a modular print drive assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front perspective view of a modular print drive assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a modular print drive assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a modular platen assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular platen assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a modular platen assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a modular platen assembly and media lid in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of a modular platen assembly and media lid in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a media lid and media guide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary weighted latch assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary weighted latch assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an operational state of an exemplary weighted latch assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an operational state of an exemplary weighted latch assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an operational state of an exemplary weighted latch assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a latch arm and a second latch release lever according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an operating state of a latch arm and a second latch release lever according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a front perspective view of a locking platen latch assembly according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an operating state of a locking platen latch assembly according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an operating state of a locking platen latch assembly according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an operating state of a locking platen latch assembly according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the back of an activated state of a locking platen latch assembly according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary platen latch release button as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary platen latch release button as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, since the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, and differently from these implementations. Forms are provided so that this invention will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings.

Overview Conventional mobile printers may require substantial disassembly to replace or repair components, such as print drives and / or platens. Disassembling the printer may require removal of several small parts and fasteners, which may be difficult to remove and / or replace. In some cases, fasteners can be small and tend to be lost during repair or replacement of printer components.

  By utilizing modular components, such as the modular platen assembly or modular print drive described herein, the time and energy required to perform the replacement can be reduced. Furthermore, parts that are lost during reassembly can also be reduced by reducing disassembly. Replacing modular components can quickly and reliably return the mobile printer to service.

  Various embodiments of the present invention improve the platen (and media door) in response to printer impacts and events that help unlatching the platen (and media door) if not configured as in the present invention. It can be said that the platen latch assembly is configured to be fixed. In some embodiments, the platen latch assembly can be configured to be highly reliable by adding a biasing weight to the latch assembly. The biasing weight may be configured to counteract the unlatching force of the impact based on the geometry of the biasing weight attached to the latch arm opposite the latch pivot. A force can be generated against the latch arm that operates to help the latch return spring keep the platen latch and media lid closed.

  The platen latch assembly may additionally or alternatively include a latch lock to increase the reliability of the latch. The platen latch assembly is configured as a two-stage type, for example, configured as a locking latch that can be unlatched first by actuating the unlatching device and then moving the latch arm to the unlatched position. good. In some embodiments, the two-stage latch assembly can prevent the platen assembly from accidentally disengaging from the print head and / or prevent the media lid from opening, This protects expensive media from damage.

Exemplary Modular Printing Drive and Platen Assembly FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary mobile printer 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mobile printer may include a modular printer assembly 100, a modular platen assembly 200, a media lid 424, and the media 11. The media lid 424 is open and removed from the printer 10.

  FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary modular print drive assembly 100 and platen assembly 200 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Modular print drive assembly 100 and platen assembly 200 may include print drive assembly 100 and platen assembly 200. The platen assembly 200 may be held in place by the latch assembly 300 against the printhead of the print drive assembly.

  When the platen assembly 200 is engaged with the print drive assembly 100, the dual tear bar 101 may be made by aligning the respective tear bars (112, 218 described below). Each tier bar 112, 218 may have sharp edges, saw teeth, etc. configured to tear the printed media at or near the point of contact of the media and dual tier bar 101. . The tear bar 112/218 can tear the media when pressure is applied to the media with the tear bar applied. If the mobile printer includes a dual tear bar 101, the media is either by the platen tear bar 218 or when pressure is applied to the print drive tear bar 112 when pressure is applied to the media that is applied to the platen tear bar The media can be torn by the print drive tear bar 112. In other words, the tear bar 112/218 is configured to tear the media by applying pressure in either direction. Specifically, the printed media may pass through the dual tier bar 101, for example, the print drive tier bar 112 is located on the first side of the printed media and the platen assembly tier bar. 218 is located on the first side of the printed media. In some embodiments, the tear bar 112/218 may create a funnel shape based on the angle of the tear bar. As shown in FIG. 1C, the funnel-like shape should be wide on the printer side of the tear bar 112/218 that receives the media and narrow on the media output side.

  The printing drive device 100, the platen latch assembly 300, and the platen assembly 200 will be described in detail below. The print drive assembly 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-5, the platen assembly 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6-8C, and the platen latch assemblies 300, 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. Description will be made with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14B.

Exemplary Modular Print Drive Assembly FIG. 2A is an exploded view of an exemplary modular print drive assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular print drive assembly 100 includes a print drive housing 102, print head 104, platen latch assembly 300, step motor 108, print drive gear assembly 110, tear bar 112, media sensor 114, print head pressure plate. 116, print head pressure spring 118, radio frequency antenna 120, printer mount fastener 126, media lid sensor 128, and platen latch assembly port 130 may be included.

  The print drive housing 102 may be coupled to the printer by one or more print mount fasteners 126. The print mount fastener 126 may be a screw, hook, spring clip, or any other holding device that enters the printer drive mount hole. The print drive housing may include a platen assembly recess 103 configured to support and secure the platen assembly 200. The platen assembly recess 103 can support the platen assembly 200, and the platen assembly 200 approaches or moves away from the print head 104 on the x-axis or y-axis, for example horizontally. It is possible to prevent the print drive assembly 102 from approaching or moving away from the print drive assembly 102.

  The print head 104 may be a thermal print head (eg, a direct thermal print head, a heat transfer print head, etc.), a laser print head, an inkjet print head, or the like. The print head 104 may be coupled to the print drive housing using screws, clips, protrusions and recesses, or other retaining devices. The printhead 104 may include electronic cables and connectors configured to send power and / or control signal printheads, such as ribbon cables or ribbon connectors.

  The platen latch assembly 300 may be one or more latch arms that removably capture the platen shaft 204 of the platen assembly 200 as described in FIGS. 10B and 10C. The platen shaft is received in rotational engagement by two platen latch assembly ports 130 configured in the print drive assembly 102. The platen latch assembly 300 may be configured to receive and hold the platen assembly 200 at a location that forms a nip between the platen assembly and the printhead 104.

  In some embodiments, the platen latch assembly 200 includes the latch hook 303 and / or the second latch arm 306 of the latch arm 302 facing the print head 104 and the latch arm 302 and the second latch arm 306 unlatching. It may be configured to move away from the printhead 104 when actuated into position. Thereby, close contact between the platen roller 202 and the print head 104 is possible. In addition, actuation of the latch arm 302 and the second latch arm 306 away from the print head 104 can prevent the latch arm or the second latch arm from being obstructed by the print drive gear assembly 110.

  FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of modular print drive assembly 100 and platen assembly 200 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. This figure includes arrows that indicate the path of the medium 11. The media 11 can pass through the media guide portion of the print drive housing into a nip 103 defined between the print head 104 and the platen 202. Media 11 can exit nip 103 at the output of the printhead.

  Referring back to FIG. 2A, the platen latch assembly 300 can rotate to release the platen assembly 200 when a latch release lever 302 a connected to the latch arm 302 is actuated. The printer drive housing 102 may further include a latch stop 105 configured to mechanically stop the latch arm movement at the platen release position.

  In some exemplary embodiments, the platen latch assembly 300 is pivotally connected to the print drive housing 102 in contact with the latch arm 302 shown in FIGS. 9-11B. A second latch release lever 308 may further be included. The latch release arm 302a and the second latch release arm 302 may be configured to operate, for example, rotate the latch arm 302 to an unlatched position from opposite directions. For example, the latch release lever 302a can be activated when pressure is applied to the latch release lever in an upward direction, and can be activated when the second latch release lever 308 is applied in a downward direction. An exemplary platen latch assembly 300 and a modified latch assembly 400 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 9-14B.

  The step motor 108 may be coupled to the print drive housing using screws, clips, hooks, or other holding devices. The step motor 108 may be coupled to the print drive gear assembly 110. The print drive gear 110a of the print drive gear assembly 110 may be in contact with the drive gear 212 of the platen assembly 200. The step motor 108 can rotate the print drive gear 110a of the print drive gear assembly, thereby rotating the drive gear 212 and associated platen 202.

  The platen drive gear 110a may have steel posts and relatively wide gear teeth to extend the life of the gear. The wide durable platen drive gear 110a is further configured for use with many types of media, such as labels, receipts, and linerless media.

  The tear bar 112 may be coupled to the platen driver housing 102 after the print head 104, thereby tearing the printed media by applying pressure to the printed media 11 toward the tear bar and print head. be able to.

  The printhead pressure plate 116 may be coupled to the print driver housing 102 on the opposite side of the printhead 104. The printhead pressure plate 116 can provide support for one or more printhead pressure springs 118. The print head pressure spring 118 allows the print head to move forward and backward, thereby applying equal pressure to various types of media, such as labels, receipts, and linerless media. The printhead pressure plate 116 may be constructed of a raised light material, such as a plastic long glass fiber frame and one or more aluminum brackets.

  The media sensor 114 may be a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or other sensor configured to detect when the media 11 is in the nip 103. The media sensor 114 may be coupled to the print drive housing 102 within the print media guide portion of the print drive housing, which may enter or fit into the media sensor port 122. is there. In some embodiments, the modular print drive assembly 100 may include a plurality of media sensors 114, each of which is in each of the plurality of media sensor ports 122, for example, the print drive housing 102. It may be possible to enter or fit into the center and each side of the media guide portion.

  Radio frequency antenna 120 may be coupled to a print media guide portion of print drive housing 102. The radio frequency antenna 120 may be Bluetooth® low energy, near field communication, wireless authentication, WiFi, or other radio frequency technology. The radio frequency antenna 120 may be a coupler antenna laid out on the flex circuit with a backside adhesive. The radio frequency antenna 120 may be glued to the print drive housing 102. In some embodiments, the radio frequency antenna 120 may be a thin printed circuit board that includes antenna circuitry.

  The media lid sensor 128 may be coupled to the print drive housing 102, eg, a side of the print drive housing, where the media lid can cover the media lid sensor when the media lid is closed. The medium lid sensor 128 may be a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a mechanical switch, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the media lid sensor 128 can be mechanically actuated when a protrusion provided on the latch arm 302 closes the media lid.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below of the modular print drive assembly in an assembled state as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Step motor 108 is coupled to the side of print drive housing 102. The print drive housing 102 has two print mount fasteners 126 that, in this embodiment, couple the modular print drive assembly to the printer without disassembling the modular print drive assembly. A print mount hole configured to receive a screw or pin for receiving.

  The print drive assembly 100 further includes a platen latch assembly return spring 132 having one end connected to the platen latch shaft 304 and the other end connected to the print drive housing 102. The platen latch assembly return spring 132 applies pressure to the platen shaft, thereby urging one or more latch arms toward the latched position. As a variant, the return spring may be coupled to the latch arm.

  The latch release lever 308 is rotatably connected to the print drive device housing 102 in a contact relationship with the platen latch assembly 300. The print head pressure plate 116 is connected to the print drive housing 102 on the opposite side of the print head 104. The media sensor 128 enters the print drive housing 102 opposite the stop motor 108.

  4 is a front perspective view of the modular print drive assembly 100 in an assembled state as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Step motor 108 is coupled to print drive housing 102 opposite the print drive gear assembly 110. The print media guide portion of the print drive housing 102 has a plurality of media sensor ports 122. A media sensor port 114 penetrates the center of one or more media ports 122. The radio frequency antenna 120 is attached to the print media guide portion of the print drive assembly 102 by, for example, adhesive, tabs, barbs, and the like. The radio frequency antenna 120 further includes a plurality of holes aligned with the media sensor port 122. The tear bar 112 is coupled to the print drive housing at the output of the print head 104 by, for example, fasteners, tabs, clips, and the like. The output portion of the print head may be an area where the printed medium exits the print head printing area.

  FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the modular print drive assembly 100 in an assembled state as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The printer mount fastener 126 of the print drive housing 102 is positioned so that it can be accessed without disassembling the modular print drive assembly 100. For example, the step motor 108 is coupled to the print drive housing 102 in front of the printer mount fastener 126 by, for example, fasteners, clips, barbs, etc., and is therefore removed to gain access to the printer mount fastener. You don't have to.

Exemplary Modular Platen Assembly FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a modular platen assembly 200 as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A shows a modular platen assembly 200 that includes a tear bar 218. FIG. 6B shows a platen assembly 200 that includes a scraper 222.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a modular platen assembly 200 as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The modular platen assembly 200 includes a platen roller 202, a platen shaft 204, a platen housing 206, a platen washer 208, a platen bearing 210, a drive gear 212, a drive gear washer 214, a shaft journal 216, tear bars 218, 220, and a tear bar holding Fasteners and drive gear retaining screws 236 may be included.

  The platen housing 206 may have first and second platen shaft holes 206a, 206b. The platen may have a platen roller 202 provided around a platen shaft 204. The platen shaft 204 can be rotatably engaged with the first platen shaft bearing 210. A platen washer 208 may be disposed between the platen roller 202 and the platen shaft 204 to prevent friction between the platen bearing and the platen shaft. The platen shaft bearing 210 may be positioned in the first platen shaft hole 206a. The drive gear 212 is coupled to the platen shaft at the drive end opposite the platen and outside the platen housing 206 using a drive gear retaining screw 236 and a drive gear washer 214 or other retaining device. good.

  In some exemplary embodiments, for example, in a platen assembly 200 that includes a scraper 222, the platen roller 202 may be comprised of a non-stick material or may have a non-stick coating. A platen assembly 200 including a non-stick platen roller 202 and a scraper 222 can be used for linerless media, such as a linerless label with a backside adhesive.

  The platen shaft 204 may have a longitudinal axis that is coupled to the shaft journal 216 at the same longitudinal axis with the holding end being, for example, by threads, clips, barbs, frictional forces, and the like. good. The shaft journal 216 may be a removable extension of the platen shaft 204. The shaft journal 216 may be rotatably engaged with the second platen bearing 210. The second platen bearing 210 may be positioned in the second platen housing hole 206b. The platen housing holes 206a / b may completely surround the periphery of the platen bearing, thereby preventing accidental protrusion of the platen due to impact, for example, and these platen housing holes completely surround the periphery of the platen bearing. It is better to have a higher resistance to fracture or cracking than a clamp or clip that is not.

  The tear bar 218 may be coupled to the platen housing 206 using one or more tear bar fasteners, such as screws, clips, or other holding right angle fasteners. The tear bar 220 may be configured to tear the print media when pressure is applied to the print media with the tear bar applied.

  The platen housing 206 may further include a substantially flat mounting flange 230 that includes a mounting hole 228a.

  FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of an assembled modular platen assembly and media lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular platen assembly 200 may be configured such that the mounting flange 230 is aligned with the mounting flange 226 of the media lid 224. The media lid mounting flange 226 may also be aligned with the media guide 222 mounting flange 226. The modular platen assembly may be slidably received between the media lid 224 and the media guide 222.

  FIG. 8B is a perspective view from below of a modular platen assembly and media lid in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The modular platen assembly 200 may be slidably received between the media guide 222 and the media lid 224. The mounting hole 228 a of the platen assembly mounting flange 230 may be aligned with the mounting flange 226 of the media lid 224 and the mounting hole 228 b of the media guide 222. The platen assembly 200 may be held by one or more platen retention fasteners 228, such as screws, clips, right angle fasteners, etc., that attach the platen assembly mounting flange 230. The hole 228a, the attachment flange 226 of the medium lid 224, and the attachment hole 228b of the medium guide 222 enter.

  FIG. 8C is an exploded view of the media lid and media guide as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Media guide 222 may be coupled to media lid 224 by fasteners, such as screws, clips, barbs, and the like.

Exemplary Weighted Latch Assembly FIG. 9 is an assembled view of an exemplary weighted latch assembly 300 as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The weighted latch assembly 300 may include a latch arm 302, a latch release lever 302a, a latch shaft 304, a second latch arm 306, a second latch release lever 308, and a latch arm weight 312.

  The latch arm 302 may include a latch hook 303 configured to hold the platen assembly 200. The latch hook 303 is configured to hold the platen assembly by surrounding at least a portion of the platen shaft 204 or platen bearing 210 as described above in FIG. 7 and described below in FIGS. 10B and 10C. It is good to be.

  The latch arm 302 may further include a shaft receiver 320 at the pivot end. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft receiver 320 may have a semicircular hole and the latch shaft 304 may have a semicircular protrusion that enters the shaft receiver. The latch shaft 304 may be coupled to the latch arm 302 using fasteners such as set screws, clips, and the like. The second latch arm 306 may be coupled to the second end of the latch shaft 304.

  The latch arm 302 may include or be coupled to a latch release lever 302a, and the latch release lever 302a extends from the latch arm between the latch hook 303 and the pivot end. The latch release lever 302a may be configured to rotate the latch arm 302 from the latched position to the unlatched position when activated. The latch release lever 302a may be actuated by applying pressure away from the latching position, for example, upwardly toward the latch arm 302.

  The second latch release lever 308 may be in contact with the latch arm 302. The second latch release lever 308 may be configured to rotate the latch arm from the latching position to the unlatching position from the opposite direction to the latch release arm 302a during operation. For example, the second latch release lever may be actuated by applying pressure to the second latch release lever in a downward direction so that the second latch release lever applies pressure to the latch arm 302. Can be added, thereby rotating the latch arm to the unlatched position. Further details of the operation of the second unlatching arm are described below with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B.

  The return spring mount 314 may be coupled to the latch shaft 304, which may be, for example, a thread. The return spring mount 314 may be coupled to a return spring, such as the platen latch return spring 132 of FIG. The return spring 132 may bias the latch arm 302 and the second latch arm 306 toward the latched position. Additionally or alternatively, the return spring mount may be coupled to the latch arm 302 or the second latch arm 306.

  The latch arm weight 312 may be coupled to the latch arm 302 and / or the second latch arm 306. The latch arm weight 312 may be additional material added to the latch arm 302 and / or the second latch arm 306 or may be a separate weight. The latch arm weight 312 may be shot, steel, tungsten, or other suitably heavy material. The latch arm weight 312 may be coupled to the latch arm 302 or the second latch arm 306 at a pivot end opposite the latch hook 303 by a retaining element, such as a set screw 310, clip, barb, or the like. The latch arm weight 312 can provide a reaction force against gravity or impact acting on the latch arm 302 or the second latch arm 306, and can provide an additional biasing force toward the latch position in addition to the return spring 132. it can. In addition, the latch weight 312 may balance the gravity distribution of the latch arm 302 or the second latch arm 306 at the pivot end, for example, at the shaft receiver 320. FIG. 10D shows the gravity or impact force applied so that the latch arm weight 310 is biased toward the latched position. In addition, gravity G is applied to both the latch hook 303 end of the latch arm 302 and the latch weight 312, thereby preventing shock or gravity from shifting from the latch arm 302 to the unlatched position. it can.

  In some embodiments, the latch arm weight 312 may be retained within the weight housing. The weight housing may hold the latch arm weight by enclosing the latch arm weight 312 in the weight housing, by compressing and holding the side of the weight, or by other holding means. The weight housing may be coupled to the latch arm 302 and / or the second latch arm at a pivot end opposite the latch hook 303.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary weighted latch assembly in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10B shows the latch arm 302 in the latched position engaged with the platen assembly 200, the platen shaft 204, the platen journal 216, and / or the platen bearing 210. The latch assembly is pivotable at the pivot end including the bearing receptacle 320. In FIG. 10C, the latch release lever 302a is actuated, for example, pressure P1 is applied in an upward direction toward the latch hook 303 of the latch arm 302 so that the latch arm is in the unlatched position in direction D1. , Thereby disengaging the platen assembly 200. In addition, the platen assembly 200 is mechanically lifted or protruded in direction D1a so that the latch hook protrusion 303a opens the media lid 424, thereby opening the media lid 424. FIG. 11A is an exploded view of a latch arm and a second release lever according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second latch release lever 308 may include at least one release drive protrusion 316 configured to engage at least one release protrusion 318 or a release hole (not shown). When actuating the second latch release lever 308, for example by applying downward pressure, the release drive protrusion 316 can rotate with the second latch release lever, thereby releasing the pressure release protrusion. In addition to 318, the latch arm 302 can be driven from the latched position to the unlatched position.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the latch arm 302 and / or the second latch arm 306 may have at least one weight reduction cavity 314 between the latch hook 303 and the pivot end. The weight reduction cavity 314 can be a depression, hole, lattice structure, web-like structure, etc., which can reduce the total material of the latch arm 302 and / or the second latch arm 306.

  FIG. 11B illustrates an exemplary operational state of a platen latch assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. By applying pressure, the unlatching lever 302a and / or the second unlatching lever 308 can be actuated. As indicated by the arrows, an upward pressure P2 can be applied to the unlatching lever 302a by applying an upward pressure P2 toward the open end of the latch hook 303, thereby pivoting the latch arm, for example, the shaft holder 320. It can be driven to the unlatched position in the direction D2 by rotating around. When the second latch lever 308 is operated as indicated by an arrow, the pressure P3 may be applied downward to the second latch release lever. The second latch release lever 308 rotates to drive at least one release drive protrusion 316. At least one release drive protrusion 316 can rotate in direction R1 to apply pressure to the release protrusion 318 of latch arm 302, and release protrusion 318 can rotate in direction R2, thereby causing latch arm 302 to move. Drive from the latched position to the unlatched position.

Exemplary Locking Platen Latch Assembly FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a locking platen rack assembly 400 according to some embodiments of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, the latch assembly 300 can be replaced with a locking platen assembly 400 as described below, as described above. Locking platen latch assembly 400 may include a latch arm 402 and a lock arm 404. The latch arm 420 may include a latch hook 406 at the latch end and a pivot 408 at the pivot end. In some embodiments, the locking platen latch assembly 400 may further include a latch shaft 304 and a second latch arm 306 as described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10A. The lock arm 404 may be slidably coupled to the latch arm 402, which may translate between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock arm 404 may have a lock bar 416 at the lock end opposite the pivot end. The lock bar 416 is configured to close the latch hook 406 and lock the latch hook 406, for example, onto and around the platen shaft 204, platen journal 216, or platen bearing 210 of the platen assembly.

  The latch arm 402 or the lock arm 404 may have a hole 410 for receiving the guide 412. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock arm 404 has a lock arm hole 410 and the latch arm has a plurality of lock arm guides 412. The lock arm guide 412 can maintain the alignment or alignment of the lock arm 404 relative to the latch arm 402. The lock arm 404 or latch arm 402 extends around the edge of the opposite arm so as to maintain the coupling of the latch arm to a catch, eg, a guide head or lock arm extending from the guide over the hole edge. It is good to have a protrusion part from.

  The latch arm 402 may include a tension mount 414 provided between the latch hook 406 and the pivot 408. The lock arm 404 may have a tension mount 416 provided at the pivot end. A tension mechanism 418, such as a spring, elastic band, etc., may be coupled between the latch arm tension mount 414 and the lock arm tension mount 416. The tension mechanism 418 may urge the lock arm 404 toward the lock position.

  The lock arm 404 may include a lock cam 420 or may be coupled to the lock cam 420, and the lock cam 420 extends from the lock arm. The lock cam 420 can move the lock arm 404 to the unlocked position in response to the operation of the lock cam. For example, pressure may be applied to the lock cam 420 in the direction of the pivot end so that the lock arm 404 can slide from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to the pressure applied to the lock cam.

  The latch arm 402 may include or be coupled to the latch cam 422, and the latch cam 422 extends from the latch arm. The latch cam 422 can move the latch arm 402 to the open position in response to actuation of the latch cam. For example, pressure may be applied to the latch cam 422 in the direction of the closed end of the latch hook 406 so that the latch arm 402 rotates about the pivot in response to a force applied to the latch cam from the latched position. The unlatched position can be reached. Movement of the latch arm 402 from the latched position to the unlatched position allows the latch hook 406 to disengage from the platen shaft 204 of the platen assembly 200.

  13A-13C are perspective views from the front showing the operational state of the locking platen latch assembly 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Locking platen latch assembly 400 may further include a cam actuator 424. The cam actuator 424 may be configured to drive the lock arm 404 between a locked position and an unlocked position, and is further configured to drive the latch arm 402 from the latched position to the unlatched position. Is good. Cam actuator 424 may be configured to cause actuation of lock cam 420 prior to actuation of latch cam 424 in response to actuation of the cam actuator.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the cam actuator 424 may be a slider and activation device (not shown), which is activated by running the activation, actuating the lock cam 420, and then actuating the latch cam 422. Is possible. In some exemplary embodiments, the cam actuator 424 may be rotated about an axis. In some exemplary embodiments, the cam actuator 424 may be a rack 424a and pinion 424b type actuator.

  The cam actuator 424 may include a lock actuation projection 426 and a latch actuation projection 428. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 13A-13C, the cam actuator 424 is substantially circular and rotates about a central axis. The cam actuator 424 has a lock actuation projection 426 and a latch actuation projection 428 that, when rotating the cam actuator, causes the lock actuation cam to lock cam before the latch actuation projection actuates the latch cam 422. 420 is configured to operate.

  In FIG. 13A, the locking platen latch assembly 400 is in the locked and latched position. Specifically, the latch arm 402 is in the latching position and the latch arm is in the latching position. The lock actuation protrusion 426 of the cam actuator 424 is located near or in contact with the lock cam 422, and the latch actuation protrusion 428 is located at a relatively distance from the latch cam 422. In FIG. 13B, the cam actuator 424 is actuated by a rotation R3 to the first position. The lock actuation protrusion 426 applies pressure to the lock cam 420 toward the pivot end of the lock arm 404. The lock arm 404 is driven to the unlocked position in the direction D4 in response to the pressure applied to the lock cam 420. In FIG. 13C, cam actuator 424 is actuated by rotation R4 to the second position. The lock actuation protrusion 426 maintains the pressure applied to the lock cam 420, thereby keeping the lock arm 404 in the unlocked position. The latch actuation protrusion 428 applies pressure to the latch cam 422 toward the closed end of the latch hook 406. The latch arm 402 is driven to the latch release position in the direction D5 in response to the pressure applied to the latch cam 422.

  FIG. 13D is a rear perspective view showing the operational state of the locking platen latch assembly 400 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The cam actuator 424 may include a rack 424a and a pinion 424b. The pinion 424b may include a lock actuation protrusion 426 and a latch actuation protrusion 428. The rack 424a may include a linear gear 434, and the pinion 424b may include a pinion gear 435. The pinion gear 435 may be curved so that the pinion 424b rotates about the axis A when activated.

  When actuating the cam actuator 424, the rack 424a may move in the direction D6, thereby converting the linear motion of the linear gear 434 into the rotational motion of the pinion gear 434, whereby the pinion 424b rotates in the direction D7. . When the pinion 424b is rotating in the direction D7, the lock actuation protrusion 426 applies pressure to the lock cam 422 in the direction D8, thereby driving the lock arm 404 to the unlocked position in the direction D9. As pinion 424b continues to rotate in direction D7, latch actuation protrusion 428 applies pressure to latch cam 422 in direction D10, thereby driving latch arm 402 to the unlatched position in direction D11.

  14A and 14B illustrate an exemplary platen latch release button according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mobile printer may have a printer casing 430 and a platen latch release button 432. The platen release button may be configured to release the modular platen assembly 200 from the platen latch assembly, eg, the platen latch assembly 300 or 400 described in FIGS. 9-13C. The platen latch release button 432 may include a finger recess or catch configured to provide a grippable surface that the user presses to activate the platen latch release button. The platen latch release button 432 may include a protrusion that can apply pressure to the latch release lever 302 a or the second latch release lever 308. In some exemplary embodiments, the platen latch release lever 432 or cam actuator 424 may have a hole configured to receive or receive a mating cam actuation protrusion of the platen latch release lever 432 or cam actuator. The cam actuating protrusion may apply pressure or receive pressure from the cam actuating hole when pressing the platen latch release button so that the cam actuator is locked by the locking latch as described in FIGS. 13A-13C. The assembly 400 is activated. In the illustrated embodiment, the platen release button 432 may be a rack 424a as shown in FIG. 13D or may be coupled to this rack.

  The platen latch release button 432 of FIG. 14A is configured to be depressed along the longitudinal axis of the printer casing 430, for example, to slide. The platen latch release button shown in FIG. 14B is configured to be depressed along the longitudinal axis of the printer casing 430.

  Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention described herein will occur to those skilled in the art who have the benefit of the teachings provided in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. . Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but modifications and other embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims are intended to It should be understood that it is included in the scope of the invention described in the scope. Moreover, while the foregoing description and associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain specific combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that elements and / or functions Various combinations of the above may be provided by modified embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions that are different from those explicitly set forth above are also contemplated as being set forth in some of the claims recited in the appended claims. Is done. Although specific terms have been employed herein, these terms are used for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limiting the invention.

Claims (6)

A platen latch assembly configured to move between a latched position and an unlatched position, comprising:
Including a latch shaft with a first end and a second end;
Each includes a first latch arm and a second latch arm each having a latch hook opposite the pivot end, wherein the first latch arm is near the pivot end of the first latch arm. Coupled to the latch shaft, the second latch arm coupled to the latch shaft near the pivot end of the second latch arm;
A latch release lever extending from the first latch arm between the latch hook and the pivot end of the first latch arm, the latch release lever latching the platen latch assembly in operation. Configured to drive from the position to the unlatched position;
A platen latch assembly including at least one latch arm weight extending near at least one of the pivot end of the first latch arm and the pivot end of the second latch arm.   The at least one latch arm weight comprises a first latch arm weight and a second latch arm weight, the first latch arm weight extending near the pivot end of the first latch arm; The platen latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the second latch arm weight extends near the pivot end of the second latch arm.   The platen latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a return spring mount coupled to the latch shaft, the first latch arm, or the second latch arm. The first latch arm further comprises at least one release protrusion;
The platen latch assembly further includes a second latch release lever that engages the at least one release protrusion to move the platen latch assembly from a latched position during operation. The platen latch assembly of claim 1 having at least one release drive projection configured to drive to an unlatched position.   The platen latch assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a weight housing coupled to the second end of the first latch arm, wherein the at least one latch arm weight is retained within the weight housing. Solid.   The platen latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first latch arm or the second latch arm includes at least one weight reduction cavity between the latch hook and the pivot end.

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